Dedication

Dedication: Merriam Webster defines as –

1: an act or rite of dedicating to a divine being or to a sacred use

2 : a devoting or setting aside for a particular purpose

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5: a ceremony to mark the official completion or opening of something.

 

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Several weeks ago we dedicated Max to the Lord, just as we did our daughter Amelia 2 years ago. My family (and the Catholic side of my husband’s family) were confused somewhat about why we weren’t baptizing our children and what is a “baby dedication” ?

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Answer: A Baby Dedication is a ceremony in which believing parents make a commitment before the Lord to submit a child to God’s will and to raise a child in the Christian faith.   

Responsibilities Involved in Baby Dedication

Christian parents who dedicate a child are making a promise to the Lord to do everything within their power to raise the child in a godly way, prayerfully until he or she can make a decision on his or her own to follow God. Parents who make this vow of commitment are instructed to raise the child in the ways of God, and not according to their own ways. Some of the responsibilities include teaching and training the child in God’s Word, demonstrating an example of godliness, disciplining according to God’s ways, and praying earnestly for the child.

 

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Guy and I agree this is a more active role for the parents investing in their children’s faith. My husband chose to be baptized in highschool in front of his church and felt this was a powerful declaration of faith he wanted his own children to choose for themselves. I was baptized as an infant. We don’t believe baptism is the path to salvation. We believe Christ is the path to salvation. If our children choose not to be baptized this does not diminish their faith, but the outward declaration does provide accountability in their Earthly lives. This dedication also is a reminder for Guy and I, as parents, to put forth a Godly example for our children. Did you know much like literacy, a child’s biggest foundation in faith is paved from the ages of birth to 4 years of age? Our pastor reminded us of this, and it makes sense.We are now looking to join a faith community closer to our home in Saint Paul where our family can grow. (The church my husband belongs to is in Buffalo, MN and the church I belonged to previously was mainly for singles and college age kids.)

 

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Here are some pictures from the service:

 

 

Guy, me, Maxwell and the Children’s Pastor

(check out the cute projected  pic of of Max on the screen)